The clash, a key moment in both teams’ season as they look to pick up their first win and keep their final hopes alive, is the only O-League game taking place over the weekend as the round’s two Group A matches were played last week and Auckland City’s meeting with Amicale will not be held until January 18 due to Auckland’s involvement in this month’s FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
While the Auckland-Amicale game had always been penciled in for a later date, Hekari’s battle with Koloale was originally scheduled for December 3 but had to be postponed a week due to ground availability issues. Hekari now have full use of their PMRL Stadium home for Saturday though and will be keen to take advantage of that by opening their account in the win column.
Jerry Allen’s men have earned just one point from their two matches but can take heart from the fact that both those games came against the teams that fought for the title in last season’s final, Auckland and Amicale. And, as well as being against opposition of high quality, those earlier fixtures were also both away and the chance to finally play on home soil in front of their own supporters will be a big boost to the Hekari cause.
Koloale coach Peter Eke knows the Port Moresby-based outfit are likely to have targeted his winless side as an opponent they can defeat but is confident of dealing with the challenge. Like Hekari, Koloale have had a sluggish start to the season and are faring even worse on the ladder with nothing to show from their two matches.
“I cannot stress enough that we need to start picking up points,” Eke says. “That will be our mission in Papua New Guinea and, if we play our game, we can win and start adding some momentum to our campaign.”
Koloale have already conceded six goals – twice more than anyone else in the group – and Eke says his charges must tighten up at the back if they are to turn their fortunes around.
“I think we were caught out defensively in both our first matches. Against Auckland we were drawn out of our defensive zones and a similar thing happened in Vanuatu against Amicale. I am confident that my attacking players are well conditioned but we have to make some adjustments at the back.”
The Men in Green have found the net just once themselves but, given some of the players Eke has at his disposal, that statistic is likely to rise rapidly over the coming weeks. Solomon Islands international Benjamin Totori has failed to fire in open play – his sole goal against Auckland came from the spot – but is regarded as one of the finest strikers in the Pacific and there is no shortage of offensive talent in the rest of the squad.
Captain Henry Fa’arodo and the likes of Ezra Sale, Ian Paia, James Naka and Joses Nawo have been subdued in the opening weeks of the season and it is surely only a matter of time before at least one or two of them finds form. They will have to do so sooner rather than later though as the fans will not be in a forgiving mood after a shock 3-2 loss to Real Kakamora in the national S-League last weekend.
Hekari are in better form domestically, having beaten Gigira Laitepo Central Coast 4-0 in their last national league outing, and promising striker Wira Wama is one player in particular to have found his rhythm. The 22-year-old struck twice in that win and stole the limelight with an impressive display of close control and pinpoint passing.
“That was the first time I had scored two goals in a game and I am looking forward to scoring more as the season progresses,” he says.
2012 O-League Match Day 3 Fixture
Hekari United [PNG] vs. Koloale [SOL]
Saturday 10 December
PMRL Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Local kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Andrew ACHARI [FIJ]
Assistant referee 1: Hilary ANI [PNG]
Assistant referee 2: David CHARLES [PNG]
Fourth official: John KORIS [PNG]
Hekari United: 1. Leslie KALAI [GK], 2. Daniel JOE, 5. John NAMANI, 6. Samuel KINI, 7. Raymond GUNEMBA, 8. Maciu DUNADAMU, 9. Nigel DABINYABA, 10. Wira WAMA, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 14. Neil HANS, 16. Pita BOLATOGA, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Eric KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Godfrey BANIAU [GK], 21. Clifton AUMAE, 25. Taniela WAQA
Coach: Jerry ALLEN
Koloale: 20. Shadrack RAMONI [GK], 2. Isreal KOTE FANAI, 3. Freddie KINI, 5. Samson TAKAYAMA, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Ezra SALE, 11. Ian PAIA, 14. Augustine SAMANI, 15. Mostyn BEUI, 16. James NAKA, 18. Henry FA’ARODO, 19. Joses NAWO, 21. David LAFAI [GK], 23. Steven ANISI, 24. Willy DAUDAU, 25. Francis LAFAI
Coach: Peter EKE

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